Blast From The Past

Gary Smith · 10-26-2007, 06:55 AM

I don't know about most of you, but I'd be careful what's wished for. I'm still working for my first grade points. However let's look at the criteria:

Marv Ripes... his name is synonomous with Stock and Jr. Stock (about the time the wheel was invented)

A-1 Transmissions.... his company, that's been around since the dark ages

The Ripes/A-1 history in the sport....always a sportsman supporter... never part of the pros (the sell-out crowd).

He hasn't run in years and has decided to make a go at it again (which I myself think is really cool!!).

IMHO, it may be a double edge sword that he runs with no grade points BECAUSE if he weren't allowed, it would signal that the TRADITIONAL sportsman drag racers (REAL class cars) are no longer "marketable" with our fate truly sealed. BUT letting him run can only help the "cause" of the traditional sportsman, showing the "new" NHRA still knows where they came from and what's right for them.

10-26-2007, 06:55 AM	#10
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Blast From The Past I don't know about most of you, but I'd be careful what's wished for. I'm still working for my first grade points. However let's look at the criteria: Marv Ripes... his name is synonomous with Stock and Jr. Stock (about the time the wheel was invented) A-1 Transmissions.... his company, that's been around since the dark ages The Ripes/A-1 history in the sport....always a sportsman supporter... never part of the pros (the sell-out crowd). He hasn't run in years and has decided to make a go at it again (which I myself think is really cool!!). IMHO, it may be a double edge sword that he runs with no grade points BECAUSE if he weren't allowed, it would signal that the TRADITIONAL sportsman drag racers (REAL class cars) are no longer "marketable" with our fate truly sealed. BUT letting him run can only help the "cause" of the traditional sportsman, showing the "new" NHRA still knows where they came from and what's right for them. Last edited by Gary Smith; 10-27-2007 at 12:13 PM. Reason: "It's Jr. Stock...Not Top Stock DOHH!!!"